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IMF praises Belgium, calls for job reforms

WASHINGTON: The IMF on Friday praised Belgium's improved fiscal situation and economic pickup last year, and urged the government to seize the opportunity to boost employment.

Concluding a regular review of the Belgian economy, International Monetary Fund directors called for "comprehensive structural reforms" aimed at job growth, including making income support less attractive, limiting unemployment benefits and phasing out early retirement schemes.

"(The directors) observed that recovery provided a timely opportunity for implementing broad-based structural reforms. Taking action during the cyclical upswing would help ensure that jobs would be available for those in search of work," the IMF said in a statement.

The IMF forecast 3.3 percent economic growth in Belgium this year, up from 2 percent in 1999. It also saw consumer inflation growing to 1.4 percent in 2000 from 1.1 percent last year.-Reuters